Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina w Warszawie

About the museum

Since 2005 the Frederic Chopin Museum in Warsaw has looked after the largest collection of objects connected with the composer in the world, numbering more than 7,500 items. The collection was begun by the Chopin family, and from 1899 it was enlarged by the Chopin Section of the Warsaw Music Society, followed by earlier incarnations of the Frederic Chopin Institute and the Frederic Chopin Society. Part of the collection was inscribed on UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” list in 1999.

The museum is housed in the Gnińscy Palace, also called the Ostrogski Castle, at ul. Okólnik. The permanent exhibition, opened on 1 March 2010 on the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth, comprises twelve themes spread over several floors. It is based on individual, interactive visiting, and visitors learn about Chopin’s life and work, among other things through his music manuscripts, letters, portraits, personal memorabilia and the composer’s last piano.

The collection includes Chopin’s music manuscripts, copies of his works made by pupils and friends, letters, notes, documents, and pianos by the firms Pleyel, Érard and Buchholtz. The most valuable relics include death masks, casts of hands, a watch given to the young composer and a lock of hair.

In 2026 the museum building is being renovated, and the permanent exhibition will be updated. The opening is planned for 2027, the hundredth anniversary of the Chopin Competition. The renovation is intended to improve the building’s accessibility, including through new ramps, platforms, induction loops and tactile paths.

Highlights

• The world’s largest collection of Chopiniana (more than 7,500 items)
• Music manuscripts and letters of the composer
• Chopin’s last piano and historic instruments by Pleyel, Érard and Buchholtz
• Permanent exhibition in twelve themes in the Gnińscy Palace
• Museum concert hall (70 seats)

Permanent exhibition

• Wystawa stała Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina – Twelve themes devoted to Chopin’s life and work, opened in 2010; in 2026 the exhibition is being rebuilt, and the new one is to open in 2027.

Founded

1954

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Wednesday – free admission day.

Prices are given according to the price list in force before the renovation; they may change after the reopening. Free admission applies, among others, to children under 7, staff of museums in the State Register of Museums, and members of ICOM and ICOMOS. Because of the visitor limit (60 people per hour), tickets are issued for a specific time.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building is accessible from ul. Tamka; on the side of ul. Okólnik there are many stairs. A step-free entrance from ul. Tamka must be requested in advance at the ticket office, by phone or by e-mail; the door width is 96 cm. The exhibition is spread over several floors, the building has a lift, and on two flights of stairs on level -1 platforms operated by security are available. Part of level 0 is inaccessible to wheelchair users (two steps). The museum has two adult wheelchairs (at the ticket office and in the cloakroom) and two toilets for people with disabilities (levels 0 and -1). Special arrangements are offered for people with disabilities; it is worth announcing the visit in advance (ticket offices: 22 44 16 251/252, Education Department: 22 44 16 258). After the renovation, ramps, platforms, induction loops and tactile paths are planned.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers educational programmes for families with children, schools and kindergartens. A family ticket costs PLN 95 (up to 6 people), and children under 7 enter free. A changing table is located in the toilet for people with disabilities on level 0.

Getting there & parking

The entrance for people with reduced mobility and the ticket offices are on ul. Tamka.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

The café is located in the Frederic Chopin Institute building opposite the museum; the museum shop is in the museum building.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 70 guests.

The museum concert hall (70 seats) is available for hire; a concert can also be ordered with tickets, a guided tour and a performance by an artist. Booking at least two weeks in advance: tel. +48 539 477 606, kdryjanska@nifc.pl.

Plan your visit